OPINION |
One of the challenges for traditional sports fans who casually follow their local minor-league baseball team is learning to embrace the concept of player development above winning.
The Springfield Cardinals always have done a tremendous job with making a visit to Hammons Field to watch the Double-A Cardinals a fan experience, with non-stop promotions and between-inning fun and games on the field or tops of the dugouts.
It’s designed to send fans home happy at the end of the night, satisfied by the experience no matter what the scoreboard says. And that’s been a good thing, because the Cardinals haven’t been good in the standings recently.
But make no mistake, even if winning isn’t the top priority, those in uniform enjoy winning games as much as the fans enjoy having a successful team to cheer for. Fireworks, bobblehead giveaways and those always-entertaining musical chair games are even better when combined with victories.
“It’s fantastic and it’s a good time,” shortstop Masyn Winn, one of the organization's top prospects, said of what winning means to the players. “We have a good group of guys that are trying to compete and win games.”
Redbirds getting red hot
The Cardinals were 45-75 last season for a last-place finish in their division and recently had a 25-38 record, again in last place in the Texas League North, when something happened.
They started winning.
Springfield swept a six-game series at Northwest Arkansas to conclude the first half of the schedule. The Cardinals opened the second half of the schedule — with records re-set to ground zero — with a 12-8 victory on Tuesday night over Wichita.
The seven-game winning streak was the second-longest in franchise history. Everyone had an extra bounce in their step and a smile on their face.
Prior to Tuesday’s homestand opener, manager Jose Leger laughed and said “I don’t know” when asked why the team suddenly is streaking in the right direction.
“There’s always something to point out when things are not going well,” Leger said. “Sometimes it can be pitching, sometimes hitting, sometimes defense. Right now, everything is clicking.
“We try to take it one day at a time and don’t get too far ahead of ourselves. Any time you take a good streak, you let things flow. I’m very happy with how they’re playing. One thing it does, when you start winning, it can be contagious.”
Cardinals must overcome roster changes
If the Cardinals are going to make a run at the Texas League playoffs, they’ll have to do it without the first-half league MVP. Moises Gomez received a promotion to Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday, a well-deserved call-up as his 23 home runs led all of minor-league baseball.
That is another unique aspect of professional baseball. Rosters change frequently as players come and go. Fans hopefully enjoyed watching Gomez bash in his half-season here. They need to go enjoy watching Winn and fellow 20-year-old rising prospect Jordan Walker while they can.
Winn was promoted to Springfield in early May and has been a quick study at the higher level, just two years removed from high school baseball. He hit five home runs to go along with a .261 average through his first 30 Double-A games.
“I’m a lot more comfortable,” Winn said of his adjustment to Double-A. “It took me a couple of weeks but, I feel like I’ve got the butterflies out. I’m just trying to compete every day and I’m having a good time here.
“We have a good group of guys and I’m having fun going out and playing ball.”
Walker continues to impress with his offensive consistency and baserunning. His batting average has been above .300 in each of the first three months and the 6-foot-5, 230-pounder has 16 stolen bases and is just starting to scratch the immense surface as a power hitter.
Walker had seven home runs and 20 doubles entering Thursday night’s game against Wichita. Look for Walker to continue making strides defensively at third base with Winn alongside at shortstop in the most-dynamic left side of any Texas League infield.
Players to watch in the second half
Along with Winn and Walker, Malcom Nunez is another player to watch in the second half. Nunez, a 21-year-old free agent from Cuba signed in 2018, hit two home runs in the same inning Tuesday night, including a grand slam, as the Cardinals rallied past Wichita.
Nunez, a corner infielder, is up to 12 home runs and 46 RBIs. He has 26 RBIs in his last 23 games.
On the pitcher’s mound, two rising prospects are settling in nicely. First-round 2021 draft choice Michael McGreevy pitched on Thursday night, with fifth-rounder from 2021 Gordon Graceffo scheduled to start on Friday.
Graceffo (3-1, 3.13 ERA in six Springfield starts) was named the organization’s pitcher of the month in both April and May. The 22-year-old right-handers both could be candidates to advance, sooner than later, so catch them while you can.
If you’re looking for guys to simply root for, who aren’t necessarily on any “prospects to watch” lists, take a look at a pair of former Division III collegians — outfielder Matt Koperniak and catcher Nick Raposo.
These are guys who are living the dream of pro baseball in one of professional sports’ model organizations. Leger talked earlier this week about guys who play “with a chip on their shoulder” because they must prove themselves each day.
Win or lose, the second half of the season should provide plenty of fun for fans and players. Getting involved in a Texas League pennant race would make it even better.
“We’re trying to get to the next level, but at the same time, you have a lot more fun when you’re winning,” Winn said. “We go out to compete and win a ballgame. It would be pretty cool to win a championship, for sure.”
Cardinals homestand at a glance
The Springfield Cardinals continue a homestand against the Wichita Wing Surge, a Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, through Sunday. A look at the games:
- Tuesday: Cardinals 12, Wind Surge 8.
- Wednesday: Wind Surge 10, Cardinals 1
- Thursday: Wind Surge 7, Cardinals 6
- Friday: 7:05 p.m. (Rockin’ in America post-game fireworks)
- Saturday: 6:35 p.m. (Kids’ Pop-It Giveaway, post-game fireworks)
- Sunday: 5:25 p.m. (Sequel Dose post-game concert, Hiland Ice Cream Sunday, Fans on Field post-game fireworks)
